Imbedding ATE (Actual Text Evidence) Effectively

Documenting ATE Use quotation marks “a house of my own” Use quotation marks “a house of my own” Use exact wording from the text Use exact wording from the text Follow with a page # in parentheses (5) Follow with a page # in parentheses (5) Your period should follow your page # (5). Your period should follow your page # (5). Imbed quotations within your commentary Imbed quotations within your commentary Do not end your writing with ATE, end with commentary Do not end your writing with ATE, end with commentary

Actual Text Evidence ATE is used to support your commentary regarding a piece of literature. ATE is used to support your commentary regarding a piece of literature. ATE should be used sparingly to back up your ideas. ATE should be used sparingly to back up your ideas. Use partial quotes. A good rule of thumb is about 5 words. Use partial quotes. A good rule of thumb is about 5 words. Overly lengthy ATE takes away from your commentary and should be cut down using ellipses to eliminate unimportant information. Overly lengthy ATE takes away from your commentary and should be cut down using ellipses to eliminate unimportant information.

Example of Overly Lengthy ATE “But my mother’s hair, my mother’s hair, like little rosettes, like little candy circles all curly and pretty because she pinned it in pincurls all days, sweet to put your nose into when she is holding you, holding you and you feel safe, is the warm smell of bread before you bake it, is the smell when she makes room for you” (6,7). “But my mother’s hair, my mother’s hair, like little rosettes, like little candy circles all curly and pretty because she pinned it in pincurls all days, sweet to put your nose into when she is holding you, holding you and you feel safe, is the warm smell of bread before you bake it, is the smell when she makes room for you” (6,7). You do not need this entire text to make your point. Break it up and use only what is significant to the commentary you will include. You do not need this entire text to make your point. Break it up and use only what is significant to the commentary you will include.

Ex. – Cutting down ATE Cisneros uses visual and sensory imagery to develop the tone of sentiment as she describes the beauty of her mother’s hair as, “little rosettes…little candy circles…sweet to put your nose into” (6). While describing the hair of other family members such as Papa, “who’s hair sticks up like a broom,” Esperanza displays no sentiment regarding his hair (6). However, the reader denotes an unmistakable air of closeness between Esperanza and her mother as she illustrates, “my mother’s hair…is the warm smell of bread before you bake it…the smell when she makes room for you” (7). The connection of Esperanza’s mother’s hair to comfort and safety reiterate the protection she feels from her mother. Cisneros uses visual and sensory imagery to develop the tone of sentiment as she describes the beauty of her mother’s hair as, “little rosettes…little candy circles…sweet to put your nose into” (6). While describing the hair of other family members such as Papa, “who’s hair sticks up like a broom,” Esperanza displays no sentiment regarding his hair (6). However, the reader denotes an unmistakable air of closeness between Esperanza and her mother as she illustrates, “my mother’s hair…is the warm smell of bread before you bake it…the smell when she makes room for you” (7). The connection of Esperanza’s mother’s hair to comfort and safety reiterate the protection she feels from her mother.

What are the problems here? On page 4, “Our house would be white with trees around it, a great big yard and grass growing without a fence.” This example of setting describes the house that Esperanza longs for. It shows her disappointment later on in the vignette as it describes the house they actually got. On page 4, “It’s small and red with tight steps in front…bricks are crumbling in places…there is no front yard.” On page 4, “Our house would be white with trees around it, a great big yard and grass growing without a fence.” This example of setting describes the house that Esperanza longs for. It shows her disappointment later on in the vignette as it describes the house they actually got. On page 4, “It’s small and red with tight steps in front…bricks are crumbling in places…there is no front yard.”

The home Esperanza longs for, “white with trees around it, a great big yard and grass growing,” is not the home she lives in on Mango Street (4). Instead, the setting of the novel takes place in a home “with tight steps in front…bricks crumbling in places…[and] no front yard”(4). Esperanza’s struggle with the home she has versus the one she dreams of encourages her to strive for, “…a house all my own. With my porch, my pillow” (104). Through her own dreams and the encouragement of others, such as Mama and Aunt Lupe, Esperanza comes to realize she will achieve her dreams, as well as come back to help others achieve more.